Senator Patty Murray (above) is the Chair of the Senate Budget Committee. She also serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. She and Senator Kelly Ayotte are sponsoring a bill to Combat Military Sexual Assault. Senator Murray's spoke on the Senate floor about the bill last week.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Murray Press Office
Tuesday, May 7th, 2013
(202) 224-2834
MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT: Murray Speaks on
Senate Floor on Bill to Combat Military Sexual Assault
Bill would provide greater victim resources
while improving current DoD prevention programs
Pentagon released
annual report today on sexual assaults in
the military, shows the number of reported assaults rose to 26,000 in
2012
Watch video
HERE.
(Washington, D.C.)
– Today, Tuesday, May 7th, 2013, U.S. Senator Patty Murray
(D-WA) spoke on the Senate floor on the Combating Military Sexual Assault (MSA) Act of
2013, which she introduced today with Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH). In
an effort to reduce sexual assaults within the military and help the victims of
this crime, the Combating MSA Act would address a number of gaps within current
law and policy and build upon the positive steps the U.S. Department of Defense
(DoD) has taken in recent years. According to DoD estimates, there were about
19,000 cases of military sexual assault in 2010 alone. Of these, 2,723
servicemembers reported these assaults, leaving thousands of victims to face the
aftermath alone as their assailants escape justice. Today the Pentagon
released its annual report on sexual assaults in the military, which shows the
number of assaults rose to 26,000 in 2012. Of these, 2,949 servicemembers
reported these assaults.
“When our best and our brightest put on a
uniform and join the United States Armed Forces, they do so with the
understanding that they will sacrifice much in the name of defending our country
and its people. However, it’s unconscionable to think that entertaining unwanted
sexual contact from within the ranks is now part of that equation,” said
Senator Murray. “Not only are we subjecting our men and women to this
disgusting epidemic, but we’re also failing to provide the victims with any
meaningful support system once they have fallen victim to these attacks. And
while I applaud recent efforts by the Department of Defense to turn the tide on
this mounting crisis, we must do more to root out the culture that fosters this
behavior and provide substantive assistance to those who face these tragedies
alone. I am proud to join Senator Ayotte in introducing the Combating Military
Sexual Assault Act, to reverse this trend and establish the necessary means for
victims to take action against their attackers. It’s inexcusable for us to wait
any longer to address this issue and I’m glad this bipartisan legislation is
taking meaningful steps to do right by our nation’s heroes.”
"The services
have struggled for decades with pervasive sexual assault in the
ranks,” said Anu Bhagwati, Executive
Director of the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN). “SWAN has been at the forefront of demanding
institutional changes that would help improve this crisis and transform military
culture. The Combating Military Sexual Assault Act introduced today by Senator
Patty Murray and senator Kelly Ayotte contains many provisions that will give
the military the tools it needs to combat this widespread problem. Common-sense
solutions like providing victims with their own designated lawyers,
criminalizing sexual relationships between basic training instructors and
students, and making sure that our National Guard troops have access to the same
resources that active duty service members have are critical in making sure that
survivors are supported and that offenders will be better
prosecuted."
“The 380,000
member Military Officers Association of America strongly endorses the Combating
Military Sexual Assault Act of 2013,”
said MOAA national President, VADM Norb Ryan, USN-ret. “Preventing
sexual assault is a duty of everyone in the chain of command. This legislation
will increase support for sexual assault victims and strengthen policies and
procedures for such cases in our nation’s Armed Forces.”
More information on the Combating Military Sexual
Assault Act HERE.
Key excerpts
from Senator Murray’s speech:
“Sexual assault continues to plague the
ranks of our military services. And it is absolutely unconscionable that a
fellow servicemember, the person you rely on to have your back and to be there
for you, would commit such a terrible crime. It is simply appalling they could
commit such a personal violation of their brother or sister in uniform.
Even worse is the prevalence of these crimes. Just today, we’re hearing
the alarming statistics that the number of cases has increased by more than a
third since 2010. And for the estimated 26,000 cases of military sexual assault
in 2012, less than 3,000 of them were reported. What’s even more startling is
that of those who bravely came forward to report the abuse, an astounding 62
percent of them were retaliated against in one way or another.”
“Recently, I
was told a very disturbing story by a female servicemember from the National
Guard in my home state of Washington. After being sexually assaulted during her
monthly drill on a military base, she took all the necessary steps, including
calling the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. But when she called, she was
told that because the assault happened during monthly drill, and not on active
duty, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator could not help her –that those
services were only reserved for those on active duty. This is absolutely
unacceptable. When one of our men or women in uniform is the victim of sexual
assault, and they have the courage to come forward and ask for help, the answer
can never be, ‘Sorry, there are regulations and there is nothing I can do for
you.’”
“This
bill is one step to address the crisis we have in our
Armed Forces. And it needs to be done now. And yesterday’s news that the Air
Force’s chief of sexual assault prevention was arrested for sexual assault is
another reminder that we need change the culture around this issue.”
The full text of
Senator Murray’s speech follows:
“ I believe the great strength of our
military is in the character and dedication of our men and women who wear the
uniform.
“It is the courage
of these Americans, to volunteer to serve, that is the Pentagon’s greatest
asset.
“I know it is said
a lot, but take a moment to really think about it.
“Our servicemembers
volunteer to face danger, to put their lives on the line, to protect the country
and all its people.
“When we think of
those dangers, we think of IEDs.
“We think of
battles with insurgents.
“Many of whom are
so cowardly and so evil they refuse to wear a uniform, and they seek to kill
innocent civilians.
“But there are
other dangers as well.
“Dangers that
cannot be accepted, and none of our courageous servicemembers should ever
have to face.
“Sexual assault
continues to plague the ranks of our military services.
“And it is
absolutely unconscionable that a fellow servicemember, the person you rely on to
have your back and to be there for you, would commit such a terrible crime.
“It is simply
appalling they could commit such a personal violation of their brother or sister
in uniform.
“Even worse
is the prevalence of these crimes.
“Just today,
we’re hearing the alarming statistics that the number of cases has increased by
more than a third since 2010.
“And for the
estimated 26,000 cases of military sexual assault in 2012, less than 3,000 of
them were reported.
“What’s even
more startling is that of those who bravely came forward to report the abuse, an
astounding 62 percent of them were retaliated against in one way or
another.
“And
according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, about one in five female
veterans treated by VA has suffered from military sexual trauma. One in five.
“That is certainly
not the act of a comrade. It is not in keeping with the ethos of any of the
services. And it can no longer be tolerated.
“We have still not
done enough to put an end to these shameful acts.
“Well, today I am
taking action to change that.
“Today, Senator
Ayotte and I joined together to introduce the Combating Military Sexual Assault
Act of 2013.
“This bipartisan
legislation will make several vital improvements to protect our servicemembers,
to assist victims, and to punish the criminals.
“The Combatting
Military Sexual Assault Act would create new category of legal advocates, called
Special Victims’ Counsels, who would be responsible for advocating on behalf of
the interests of the victim.
“These SVCs would
also advise the victim on the range of legal issues they may face.
“For example, when
a young Private First Class is intimidated into not reporting a sexual assault
by threatening her with unrelated legal charges -- like underage drinking --
this new advocate would be there to protect her and tell her the
truth.
“This bill would
also enhance the responsibilities and authority of DoD’s Sexual Assault
Prevention and Response Office – also known as SAPRO– to provide better
oversight of efforts to combat military sexual assault across the Armed Forces.
“SAPRO would
also be required to regularly track and report on a range of MSA statistics,
including assault rates, the number of cases brought to trial, and
compliance within each of the individual services.
“Some of this
data collection and reporting is already being done – so this requirement would
not be more burdensome, but it would give that office statutory authority to
track and report to us on the extent of the problem.
“The Combating
Military Sexual Assault Act would also require sexual assault cases to be
referred to the next superior competent authority for court martial when there
is a conflict of interest in the immediate chain of command.
“This will help
ensure sexual assault allegations get a fair, impartial, and thorough
investigation.
“And the
President of the Military Officers Association of America agrees saying,
‘Preventing sexual assault is a duty of everyone in the chain of command. This
legislation will increase support for sexual assault victims and strengthen
policies and procedures for such cases in our nation’s Armed
Forces.’
“This
legislation would also prohibit sexual contact between military instructors and
servicemembers during basic training, its equivalent, or within 30 days after
the end of training.
“As we have seen
with disturbing frequency at places like Lackland Air Force Base, or at the Air
Force Academy, new servicemembers are too often taken advantage of and abused.
“In these
settings, new servicemembers have every aspect of their lives controlled by
their instructors.
“While this is
appropriate for military training, in this type of setting, it is entirely
inappropriate for senior servicemembers to seek a sexual relationship with such
a junior subordinate.
“And it is our
view that it is impossible for a servicemember to freely give consent in that
setting.
“The bill would
also ensure Sexual Assault Response Coordinators are available to members of the
National Guard and Reserve at all times.
“Recently, I was
told a very disturbing story by a female servicemember from the National Guard
in my home state of Washington.
“After being
sexually assaulted during her monthly drill on a military base, she took all the
necessary steps, including calling the Sexual Assault Response
Coordinator.
“But when she
called, she was told that because the assault happened during monthly drill, and
not on active duty, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator could not help her
–that those services were only reserved for those on active duty.
“This is
absolutely unacceptable.
“When one of our
men or women in uniform is the victim of sexual assault, and they have the
courage to come forward and ask for help, the answer can never be,
“Sorry, there are regulations and there is nothing I can do for you.”
“Now, this bill is
one step to address the crisis we have in our Armed Forces.
“And it needs to be
done now.
“And yesterday’s
news that the Air Force’s chief of sexual assault prevention was arrested for
sexual assault is another reminder that we need change the culture around this
issue.
“But I want to be
very clear the military has taken some steps on its own.
“For instance, I am
looking forward to seeing Secretary Hagel’s proposal on how to reform Article 60
of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“As I think most of
my colleagues know, under Article 60, the convening authority of a court martial
is empowered to dismiss the judgment of a court martial and overturn their
verdict.
“Many of my
colleagues, myself included, have had serious concerns about how this authority
has been used in sexual assault cases.
“I want to thank
the Senator from New Hampshire for her advocacy on this issue, and for her help
in putting this legislation together.
“I also want to
thank Representative Tim Ryan for his leadership in introducing the companion
bill in the other chamber.
“When I asked Navy
Secretary Ray Maybus about the sexual assault epidemic, I was glad to hear that
‘concern’ wasn’t a strong enough word to describe how he feels about this
problem.
“He said he is
angry about it.
“And I know many of
us here share this feeling and want to put a stop to it.
“So, I am hopeful
both chambers can work quickly to do right by our nation’s
heroes.
“Because when
our best and our brightest put on a uniform and join the United States Armed
Forces, they do so with the understanding they will sacrifice much in the name
of defending our country and its people.
“But that
sacrifice should not have to come in the form of unwanted sexual contact from
within the ranks.
“Thank you Madam President, and I ask that
the text of the bill be included in the record.”
###
Kathryn Robertson
Deputy Press Secretary
Deputy Press Secretary
Office of U.S. Senator
Patty Murray
154 Russell Senate
Office Building
Washington D.C.
20510
202-224-2834
